Deryck Knight. M.B.E

On leaving the Airborne Forces, Deryck Knight returned to his previous trade as a foreman bricklayer, but after the stimulation and excitement of service life, found it difficult to settle, and yearned comradeship and the challenges for his lively intelligence. He settled upon the police service. It was as a police officer, particularly, that he found his true vocation. He spent the majority of service within the CID rising to the rank of Detective Superintendent. Deryck deservedly earned a national reputation as one of the finest senior investigators of his generation: Solving 86 out of 87 murder enquiries, an accolade recognised by the award by HM the Queen, of membership of the most excellent order of the British Empire, upon his retirement. Deryck had many personal qualities that aided his professional success, he was physically and mentally tough, ruthless in his pursuit of justice, compassionate towards those who were down on their luck and could always be relied upon to represent the case of the underdog. Despite his achievments, Deryck never forgot his roots. He reached the top of his profession, but the skills of the mason never left him and he ALWAYS wore the distinctive tie of the Airborne Soldier with pride. He was a staunch supporter of the RBL and one of the delights of his last years was to attend the reunions of his former unit. To his family and many friends Deryck Knight is irreplaceable. 1930-1997 Dave Cole